After holding talks with Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda, PM Narendra Modi said "India stands ready and prepared to strengthen its development partnership with Nepal." Both the leaders met at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, where the two countries signed three agreements for upgrading Terai highways and an additional line of credit for new projects such as Phase 2 of Terai roads, power transmission lines, substations and a polytechnic.
"Trade, connectivity in all its dimensions, development projects and mutual investments are key pillars of our partnership with Nepal. India's initiatives for open sky, cross-border power trade, transit routes, cross-border connectivity will directly benefit Nepal and help strengthen our economic partnership," Modi said in a statement.
In his statement, Prachanda said, "Promulgation of the constitution last year by the popularly elected constituent assembly of the people of Nepal was a historic achievement. You are aware that my government has made serious efforts to bring everyone on board as we enter the phase of implementation of the Nepali constitution." He said resolving the Madhesi crisis would be his top priority, despite failing to register an amendment motion in the parliament prior to his visit.
